Setting targets helps, but wider strategies are needed to dispel the sense of novelty value that still surrounds female musicians. We need to normalise their presence on stage and behind the scenes, writes Kate Lowes.
A reluctance to self-reflect and a tendency to recruit in our own image are at the root of the sector’s failure to employ a workforce that reflects the wider working population, says Sara Whybrew.
Before praising the Culture Secretary for “responding so positively” to the financial crisis facing the cultural sector, Arts Council England would do well to take a step back and review its own evidence, says Liz Hill.
Five years after first highlighting discriminatory attitudes in ArtsProfessional, the Government’s Disability Champion for Arts and Culture Andrew Miller reflects on progress towards inclusion.
Festivals can have all the recycling schemes and sustainable policies in the world, but it’s getting workforce and attendees on board that will really make a difference, writes Damon Culbert.
The lack of traction and success for BME-led and disabled-led organisations deserves our attention, says Amanda Parker. Is there something for ACE to explore around who is judging ‘quality’?
Over the coming weeks, ArtsProfessional will be putting your questions to Arts Council England on its new draft ten-year strategy. Here ACE’s Deputy Chief Executive Simon Mellor introduces one of the strategy’s three key outcomes.
Funders are increasing their demands for data from arts organisations while only paying lip service to quality in their own statistics. It’s time to stop indulging them, says Jonathan Knott.
A high street renaissance?
Amanda Parker asks whether the arts can really save our high streets.